“I would like to congratulate all of our students receiving their GCSE results today.  In what has been a very difficult year for the whole world, this cohort of students have been stoic in their reaction to both their GCSEs and the manner in which they completed their secondary education.  In my twenty-five years of teaching, results’ day has always been a day of relief and joy, with the opportunity to celebrate the hard work of our children, supported by their parents and teachers.  This year is different, with no exams and centre assigned grades, some students will probably feel a sense of anti-climax.  However, they should not, they should be just as proud of themselves.  Their qualifications are a recognition, quantified by the teachers, who know them best, in line with OFQUAL’s stringent guidelines, of five years of hard work at UVHS.  They have earned these grades as much as if they had sat the exams and consequently, they should celebrate them just as every other year group has.  Our students will be able to move on to the next stage of their lives with the confidence of a job well done - we are very proud of them and wish them all the best in the future.”